Princess Madeleine Accepts Deputy Honorary Chair of Childhood Organization

State Visit to Sweden For Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia

30th Birthday Celebrations for Prince Carl Philip

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday amidst grand fanfare. Hundreds of people gathered in the inner court of the palace to extend their best wishes.Carl Philip Edmund Bertil was born on May 13, 1979. Besides having the title of prince, he is the Duke of Värmland. He is the only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. He is commissioned in the navy as a lieutenant and attended the Forsbergs School of Design to complete a two-year course in Graphic Design.

He has two sisters. His older sister is Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; she recently announced her engagement to Daniel Westling after a courtship of seven years and his younger sister is Princess Madeleine.

Photos: REUTERS

Victoria and Daniel Will Wed in 2010

The Swedish Royal Family officially announced today the engagement of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden to Daniel Westling. The couple will wed in the early summer of 2010. King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife, Queen Silvia, appeared with their daughter and her fiancé in a video broadcast to convey their happiness over the engagement announcement. The king said it was special day for them and also for Sweden whilst the queen said that Daniel would make a wonderful husband for her daughter.Daniel met Victoria in 2002 and embarked on a seven-year courtship with the princess before asking for her hand in marriage and receiving consent from the king and the Swedish government. Upon his marriage to Princess Victoria, Daniel will be known forthwith as Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland.

For those wishing to extend engagement congratulations to Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling (sorry, it is in Swedish only), visit the Swedish Royal Court website.

Photos: Swedish Royal Court

Rasmussen's Views of Sweden and The Queen of Denmark

Splendid pageantry was gloriously exhibited when King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden disembarked from the HMS Visborg on May 9th for a three day state visit to Denmark. The king’s last official visit was in 1975.

The state visit enabled Blauw Bloed’s commentator Jeroen Snel the unique opportunity to ask Denmark’s Statsminister Anders Fogh Rasmussen his views on Sweden and Queen Margrethe II.

Snel: "How important is Sweden to you?"

Rasmussen: "It’s our neighbor and is very important. The theme of this state visit is the integration in the Öresund region, cooperation, strength, and cooperation between Sweden and Denmark, so it is very important."

Snel: "How do you look to the Queen in Denmark?"

Rasmussen: "Well, she is more than a symbol, but she is a symbol of the nation, the unity, our society. She is a symbol of continuity, history and the future. So, as head of state, the queen has a very important role to play."

Swedish King and Queen Will Visit White House

Below is the statement released by the White House press secretary.

The President and Mrs. Bush will welcome Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden to the White House on October 23, 2006. The United States and Sweden share a long history of friendship and a strong commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom. The visit of Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia is an opportunity to further strengthen the U.S.-Swedish friendship.